Similar to the coyote, the jackal is a member of the
Carnivora order and the genus Canis. Native to Africa, Asia
and Europe, jackals come in three species: the Golden
jackal, the Side-striped jackal and the Black-backed jackal. They are predators
in their natural habitat and are often considered scavenger animals.
Distinguishing features of the jackal are long limbs for
running, curved teeth to help them catch and hold their prey and great hunting
abilities. A jackal can move quite fast reaching an average top speed of 9.8
miles per hour. In the wild, jackals live in pair and enjoy a monogamous sex
life. They mark their closely guarded territory using their own urine and feces.
Jackals prefer to dine on small animals, birds and reptiles.
In popular culture, the jackal is considered the animal god
of ancient Egypt
often referred to as Anubis or the jackal god. People that act in a scavenger
manner are often referred to as jackals.